Re-Visiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Avengers: Endgame

 "Avengers: Endgame" (2019)

This is it, folks. The culmination of ten years of films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "Avengers: Endgame" was one of the most highly anticipated movies in a long time. It had so many expectations on it. It not only had to be it's own movie but it also had to serve as an ending to the Infinity Saga, give an idea of where the MCU was going in Phase 4 and be a seemingly final farewell to some loved staples of the MCU. That is a lot to shoulder for one film. "Avengers: Endgame" became the highest grossing movie of all-time with $2,797,800,564 worldwide.

Principal photography on "Avengers: Endgame" began in August 2017 and ended in January 2018. The film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Scarlet Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Don Cheadle as James "Rhodey" Rhodes/War Machine, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Gwenyth Paltrow as Pepper Potts/Rescue and Josh Brolin as Thanos. Plus, an appearance by basically every major MCU character of the past ten years. The film was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley. It was directed by the Russo Brothers. "Avengers: Endgame" was released on April 26, 2019.

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Lazarus" & "Young at Heart"

 The X-Files

I'm sure I've said this before, but this first season has so many standalone episodes. That isn't the worst thing since the mythology episodes get worse as the series goes on but some of these are experiments gone awry. Luckily, if you squint hard enough, there is a common theme running through both of todays episodes.

Into the DC Murderverse: "Justice League"

 "Justice League" (2017)

The story behind the making of "Justice League" is more interesting than the movie itself. Warner Bros. was losing faith in Zack Snyder's vision, especially after the critical drubbing that "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" took. Geoff Johns took over the DCEU and made re-writes to the script that upset Snyder and the film's initial writer. Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to punch up the script and make it more "hopeful and optimistic." Snyder stepped down from the film to properly mourn the tragic death of his daughter and Whedon directed two months worth of re-shoots, gaining a writing credit but no directing credit. Shockingly, this movie wasn't the critical and commercial success that Warner Bros/DC were hoping for. The reception led to a small but vocal group of fans clamoring for the Snyder Cut of "Justice League" which we will be getting next month, for better or for worse.

Principal photography on "Justice League" began in April 2016 and concluded in October 2016. The film stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash, Ray Fisher as Victor Stone/Cyborg, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner James Gordon, Ciaran Hinds as Steppenwolf, Joe Morton as Silas Stone and Amber Heard as Mera. The film was written by Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon. It was directed by Zack Snyder. "Justice League" was released on November 17, 2017.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Jedi Crash," "Defenders of Peace" & "Trespass"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

We've got a theme running through the three episodes of "The Clone Wars" that we will be covering. It's all about peace and what it means during wartime. We also learn the origins of a species of alien that we first met way back in "A New Hope."

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-watch: "Wish Upon a Star: Naru's First Love" & "Naru's Tears: Nephrite Dies For Love"

 Sailor Moon

Hey everyone! We've reached the end of the Nephrite arc and my least favorite episode of "Sailor Moon." In fact, as I write this I'm in comment back and forth with someone about the shitty, toxic relationship at this episodes heart. Fun!

"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "The Ultimate Thrill" & "Over the Edge"

 The New Batman Adventures

We have reached the midway point of "The New Batman Adventures" and we are getting to the end of "Batman The Animated Series." It's crazy that this journey we started years ago is reaching an end. Let's get to it.

"The Truth Is Still Out There" Re-Watch: "Beyond the Sea" & "Gender Bender"

 The X-Files

Season one of "The X-Files" soldiers on and we have the first type of episode that will become a staple of the series for the entirety of its run, for better or worse. The agents go into another culture episode. It's fun stuff.